Medals

Proof Coins of Norway Exclusive 2002

In addition to the 20 kroner Abel commemorative coin, Norges Bank’s prestige set Proof Coins of Norway Exclusive also includes a gold medal celebrating the bicentenary of Abel’s birth. The coins and medals come in a handsome wooden box with a numbered silver plate.

The Agder Academy was founded on 27 October 1962. At the annual meeting in 1965 it was decided to strike an award medal in gold for outstanding scientific or scholarly achievement. H. Rui was contacted to create the medal and he suggested using the portrait of Abel that he had used previously for the commemorative medal for the Royal Norwegian Society of Sciences and Letters.

Since 1927 the Society has had a tradition of having a commemorative medal struck to be handed out at its annual festivities. The commemorative medal should if possible have a new obverse for each Festivities Day depicting one of the Society’s members or a person particularly deserving of this, as determined by the Board. The lesser seal of the Society is to appear on the reverse.

The commemorative medals were initially struck in two different alloys. One in silver that was presented to persons who have performed service to the “Society of Sciences and Letters” or the “Museum”. The version in silver was also given to those who gave the memorial address and Festivities Day lecture. In 1935 it was decided that all Board members in attendance on Festivities Day would be given the commemorative medal in silver.

The base metal version (tombac, gold-plated tombac, zinc or bronze) was given to all members and guests in attendance at the banquet.

Niels Henrik Abel is currently the only one to have graced the commemorative medal twice.